James Van Der Beek got "very bored" towards the end of ‘Dawson’s Creek’.
The 35-year-old actor – who starred as Dawson Leery in the teen drama for its entire six-season run – grew tired of portraying the protagonist in the series so he was glad to do something different by starring in dark comedy ‘Rules of Attraction’, an adaptation of a Bret Easton Ellis novel, alongside Jessica Biel.
He said: "When ‘Dawson’s ended I just reacted to having been on this highly successful teen show for the last six years. I get very bored doing the same thing so, for example, I did ‘Rules of Attraction’ because I felt finally I had a chance to try something like that."
James – who is now starring in sitcom ‘Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23’ in which he plays a sleazy version of himself – admits he took himself "too seriously" when ‘Dawson’s Creek’ ended in 2003 and he felt under pressure to be a role model to young fans.
He added: "I think there was a time during and post-‘Dawson’s Creek’ when I took myself too seriously and felt I had something to lose.
"Plus, there’s the whole thing about doing a teen show and having young fans and they’re supposed to see you in a certain way."